Statesville, NC Fishing: Fishing in the Ballooning Capital of the East

Statesville is a city located in Iredell County in mid-western North Carolina. It is also the county seat and is part of the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city has a 250-year history starting when Scots-Irish Presbyterians and German Lutherans who had initially settled in Pennsylvania began arriving in the area that would become Statesville in 1753. It is because the soil was fertile, and the game and water were plentiful. In 1755, Fort Dobbs was built and garrisoned by North Carolina provincial soldiers to defend British North America's western frontier in the state’s colony during the French and Indian War and Anglo-Cherokee War. In 1788, the North Carolina Legislature divided Rowan County. The new county was named after the associate justice of the first Supreme Court under the presidency of George Washington, James Iredell. A year later, in 1789, Statesville was established and selected as the county seat.

Statesville takes pride in being a quintessential North Carolina community in the middle of one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Its proximity to Charlotte and Winston Salem makes it an entry point to major industries, where no better place mixes an outstanding quality of life, exceptional climate, solid industrial roots, and unmatched proximity to the entire eastern half of the United States. Plenty of historical sites are found throughout the city, honoring its profuse past and heritage. Statesville has a vibrant downtown where one can see why the community is a fantastic place to discover and live. Anglers interested in what the city has to offer would be glad to know that a ton of the state’s prominent fishing areas are easily accessible from Statesville.

Statesville Fishing

Many of North Carolina’s best fisheries can be found around Statesville. There is plenty of access to inshore and offshore fishing opportunities as local waterways are inundated with a great game. Statesville is a must-visit for anglers going on statewide and nationwide fishing tours.

Lake Norman, also known as ‘The Inland Sea of NC,’ is the perfect place for relaxation and recreation. The lake is located southwest of Statesville, which possesses part of its wooded shores. It is North Carolina’s largest man-made lake, where fishing enthusiasts can catch trophy-size and record-winning fish. Anglers can find many fish species residing in and migrating to its waters, living up to its moniker as an inland sea. It is also known as a bass fishing haven where anglers can target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, bodie bass, and white bass. Most anglers also go to the lake to experience its excellent catfish fishery, chasing plenty of channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Other notable fish in the lake are black crappie, white crappie, yellow perch, white perch, and bluegill. There are also instances of black bullhead, sauger, and longnose gar. Aside from the bountiful bass, there are healthy populations of perch, crappie, and striped bass roaming the lake’s waters. Stripers were introduced to the lake to cater to the increasing popularity of sport fishing, while blue catfish were brought into the lake to aid in controlling the shad population. 

There is a sufficient amount of striped bass charters, crappie fishing trips, and more guided experiences around the lake. Anglers who want to cast their line from land can access the lake’s three fishing piers; Patriot Pier at Ramsey Creek Park, Stump Creek Pier on Perth Road, and Lake Norman State Park Pier in Troutman. There are also two designated areas for bank fishing. Boat anglers can find eight boat launch areas open to the public. Anglers can access the Lake Norman State Park Boat Ramp through Boat Launch Drive in Statesville. Lake Norman is home to multiple marinas that provide boat slips, boat and gear rentals, storage, and boat repair services. The state record for blue catfish was caught in the lake, weighing a whopping 85 lbs. 

The most popular method of luring fish from Lake Norman is baitcasting, with live bait shops near its fishing spots. Crappie are commonly caught by casting live minnows or by fly fishing. Largemouth bass are prone to bite spinnerbaits, jerk baits, soft plastics, and live bait. Smallmouth bass feed aggressively and strike at spinnerbaits, lures imitating baitfish or crawfish, crankbaits, and topwater lures. Spotted bass can be caught using small baits and lures. Fishing lures that are effective for striped bass are topwater, deep diver jerk baits, deep diver crankbaits, spoons, soft swimbaits, and live baits like large flies. White bass can be caught using artificial lures like spinners, crankbaits, jigs, and spoons. The best baits for catfish are worms, frogs, crayfish, live fish, and cut bait. 

High Rock Lake and Badin Lake are just east of Lake Norman. Both lakes house the same species of fish found in Lake Norman. Badin Lake also has schools of redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish. High Rock Lake has fishing access from its shore or for boats, canoes, and kayaks. There are boat docks that act as a cover for shallow bass and other fish. Creek channels, ledges, humps, and drop-offs are other areas where fish gather in High Rock Lake. Spinnerbaits and flashy lures are the best bait because the lake’s waters are stained yearly. Badin Lake is an excellent spot for summer anglers because it stays cool. Its sunfish population is very healthy and grows to a good eating size. Bass anglers catch fish from rocks, brush, boulders, and boat docks. Plenty of fish and baitfish can also be found in reefs, ledges, points, and humps, especially those with drop-offs into deeper creek channels.

Top 10 Fish Species in Statesville, NC

The top 10 fish species found in Statesville, NC, are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, and yellow perch.

Seasonal Fishing

Bass fishing is most productive when they spawn from March to May. The best months to chase catfish are April, May, September, and October. Crappie can be caught any time of the year, but the best seasons to target them are spring and fall. The best time to fish for perch is in the early morning or evening hours in late spring and early summer and late afternoon or evening in late summer. Spring and early summer are the best times to target bluegill. Sunfish species can be caught all year round.

Sights to See in Statesville

Statesville is a terrific road-tripping destination, and it’s easy to find fun things to see and do.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Booking a fishing charter will help anglers have a more rounded angling adventure, whether fishing in Statesville’s local waterways or fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico near North Carolina’s shores. Fishing with Gus takes anglers on an exciting fishing trip around Lake Norman. Other fantastic local guides in the state are S and C Fishing Charters, Cap's Fishing Charters, and Keep Castin' Charters. Boat rentals and bait and tackle shops are also available around Lake Norman.

2. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

People don’t have to wait for an event to go on a hot air balloon ride in Statesville because pilots schedule flights twice a day, seven days a week, weather permitting, all year round. People can choose between a sunrise or sunset flight. People can also attend the Carolina BalloonFest, the nation’s second-oldest hot air balloon festival. It is held every year on the third weekend of October. The event features morning competitions, mass ascensions, and evening balloon glows in addition to live entertainment on two stages, a children’s zone, a marketplace, an artisan village, an NC wine and craft beer garden, aerialist circus performances, and skydiving exhibitions. 

3. Visit a Historical Site

People can visit the Fort Dobbs site, which is now a museum. People can explore the grounds and learn more about what was going on during the French and Indian wars. One can also witness historical war reenactments and tours in the reconstructed fort. The site is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9 AM to 5 PM. The tours have a general admission price, but people can explore the grounds and visitor center for free.